By ZHONG Jianli

The first of its kind in western China, a virtual power plant platform was recently launched at the Chengdu High-tech Industrial Development Zone (CDHT) to make digitalized and smart energy management a reality.

"Through this digital platform, big data analysis and artificial intelligence models can be used to assist decision-making in energy management," said a spokesperson of CDHT, adding that they will start a number of new energy infrastructure projects to optimize the energy structure and achieve sustainable development.

Compared with traditional power plant, the virtual power plant can collect and analyze a large quantity of data related to distributed power supply, energy storage, charging piles and industrial adjustable electronic loads. This allows for improved energy conservation and reduced carbon emissions and facilitates the transition towards clean energy.

As one of the 12 national high-tech industrial zones that initiated the National High-tech Zone Carbon Peaking and Neutrality Action Declaration, CDHT has been dedicated to developing low-carbon industries and nurturing high-tech enterprises specializing in energy saving and environment protection.

Recognizing the actual needs of enterprises, CDHT has built a pool of experts engaged in green and low-carbon technologies, and recommended quality technicians to enterprises. In future, CDHT said it will further improve its policies on supporting enterprises, universities and R&D institutions along the entire green low-carbon industrial chain.

A panel discussion themed "ReThink & ReShape: Shaping a Sustainable Future through Circular Transformation" is held on September 15 during the opening ceremony of the Re:Think 2023 SDG Innovation Week in Chengdu. (COURTESY PHOTO)

To pursue long-term sustainable development, the CDHT administrative committee has also partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to establish the SPARK Sustainable Development Innovation Laboratory (Chengdu). SPARK Lab has provided more channels for various stakeholders to communicate and cooperate on the low-carbon development of Chengdu.

The Re:Think SDG Innovation Week, a flagship activity co-organized by UNDP and CDHT, focuses on sharing sustainable development practices and experiences. This year's event, held on September 15, featured a panel discussion themed "ReThink & ReShape: Shaping a Sustainable Future through Circular Transformation." Participants discussed how the circular economy can promote sustainable development and how sustainable consumption can shape a sustainable future.

Yang Bin, an associate researcher of the Institutes of Science and Development, Chinese Academy of Sciences and deputy director of the China High-tech Zone Research Center, said that CDHT has outstanding features and advantages in international communication and innovation, especially in talent introduction, free trade zone development and industrial competitiveness.